Vodafone 4G expansion can be speeded up by spectrum harmonisation

India’s second largest mobile carrier is, at present, hamstrung by the fact that bulk of its 1800 Mhz spectrum holdings across India are fragmented, and hence, not suitable for a high-speed data technology like 4G-LTE that requires harmonised or ‘continuous’ airwaves.Kalyan Parbat | ET Bureau | Updated: January 26, 2016, 10:20 IST

India's second largest mobile carrier is, at present, hamstrung by the fact that bulk of its 1800 Mhz spectrum holdings across India are fragmented, and hence, not suitable for a high-speed data technology like 4G-LTE that requires harmonised or 'continuous' airwaves.

Vodafone India has contiguous 4G spectrum in the 1800 Mhz band only in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Karnataka and Kerala.

Small wonder, Chopra feels early harmonisation of 1800 Mhz spectrum would "help Vodafone expand its 4G coverage to many other circles", well beyond the five markets where the company has contiguous 4G spectrum.

Harmonisation involves consolidating airwaves in the 1800 MHz band to create contiguous or 'continuous' blocks of spectrum that can be used to provide faster 4G LTE services. Airwaves in the 1800 MHz band are the most popular globally for 4G-LTE services, but non-contiguous spectrum in the band is not suitable.

The Vodafone India COO was speaking to ET on the sidelines of the company's 4G launch in Kolkata on Monday. The company has already rolled out 4G in Kochi and Mysore, and is slated to do the same in Delhi and Mumbai by March.

"After concluding 4G launches in Kerala, Karnataka, Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi, Vodafone India will expand 4G coverage to other circles as well. Harmonisation of 1800 Mhz spectrum will help us do this, and we are working with the government and awaiting technical clarity and appropriate approvals from the DoT," Chopra added.

The Vodafone India COO, however, did not reveal specific circles where the company planned to launch 4G, post-harmonisation of 1800 Mhz airwaves, saying "there would be a Phase-2 after the first wave of launches in the five markets where the company has 4G spectrum, but we are not in a position to share details immediately".

India's top four carriers - Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India, Idea Cellular and Reliance Communications - had recently urged the sector regulator to persuade the DoT to hasten harmonisation of 1800 MHz spectrum before the next airwaves sale since it is the most heavily deployed band for 4G-LTE services worldwide.

Besides Vodafone, Idea Cellular and Bharti Airtel have also launched their 4G services with Airtel's coverage being the widest so far. All these incumbent telcos are trying to get the first mover's advantage before Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Jio Infocomm commercially launches its own 4G offerings, expected in March-April.